Carton opener



v July 28, 1942. HANSON 2,291,075

CARTON OPENER Filed April 23, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 28, 1 42 H. HANSON 2,291,015 I CARTON OPENER g Filed April 25, 1942 2 Sheets-Shet-Q v lllt'entor Patented July 28, 1942 L- N ED STATES PATENT OFFICE "2,291,075 cAR'roN OPENER 'Harry'Hanson, Menomonie, Wis.

Application "Aprill23, 1942," Serial No. 440,243

'3 Claims. Cl.3 02) This invention relates to carton openers, of a generally similar type to that constituting the subject matter of my United States Patent No. 2,272,116, issued on February 3, 1942, on which the present device constitutes an improvement.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a carton opener of the aforementioned character comprising a guide embodying a novel construction and arrangement whereby said guide may be expeditiously swung to an out-of-the-way position when desired, thus permitting the device to be conveniently used adjacent the corners of the carton or on the face of any of the Walls or the top thereof.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a carton opener of the character described comprising unique means for adjustably securing a conventional safety razor blade in position to be used as the cutting element.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a carton opener of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a carton opener constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the device in use on a corner portion of a carton.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device with the guide in inoperative position.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail view in plan of the guide.

Figure 6 is a detail view in end elevation of the guide.

Figure 7 is a detail view in plan of the gauge.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the gauge.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in section, taken substantially on the line 99 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially angular handle I of tubular form, said handle being of any suitable material.

Formed integrally with one side portion of the handle I is a plate 2.

Adjustably mounted on the plate 2 is a gauge 3. The gauge 3 includes a shoe 4 which projects forwardly past the angularly extending end portion 5 of the handle I and terminates in a curved lip or the like 6 whereby said shoe will ride easily over obstructions. The gauge 3 further includes a substantially segmental flange 1 which extends at right angles and rearwardly from the shoe 4 and which is adapted for side abutting engagement with the plate 2. The flange I has formed therein a pair of inclined slots 8 and 9. These slots 8 and 9 accommodate bolts I0 and II which are mounted in the plate 2.

Also mounted on the bolts I0 and I I is a safety razor blade I2. The bolts II] and II are so arranged that, as illustrated to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawings, the blade I2 is mounted diagonally with respect to the plate 2, a corner portion of said blade extending past the rear end of the shoe 4 for engagement with a carton to be opened, as at I3.

The bolts I0 and I I also have mounted thereon a guide I4. The guide I4 comprises an offset flange I5 having formed transversely therein, at an intermediate point, a closed slot I6. The flange I5 is further provided, in its end portions, with arcuate, open slots I1 and I8. The slot I6 is for the reception of the bolt II]. The slot II accommodates the bolt II when the guide I4 is in operative position and the slot I8 accommodates said bolt when said guide is in inoperative position. At its forward end, the guide I4, which is of substantially segmental form, is provided with an outwardly curved lip I9 to facilitate riding over obstructions.

It is thought that the manner of using the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the opener is to be used for removing the top of a carton, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, the shoe 4 is moved along the side walls of said carton with the guide I4 riding on the top thereof. Of course, the protruding portion of the blade I2 penetrates and cuts the carton at a point closely adjacent the top thereof. The shoe 4 of the gauge 3 positively limits the depth to which the blade I2 may cut. In this manner damaging of the contents of the carton is prevented. By loosening the nuts 20 and 2| on the bolts I0 and II, the guide 3 may be conveniently and accurately adjusted as desired on the plate 2. When the device is to be used at a point remote from the corners of the carton, the nuts 20 and 2| are loosened and the guide [4 is swung around on the bolt l0 into the tubular handle I. When this is done, the slot l6 permits the reversed guide H to be pushed into the handle I, the arcuate open slot [8 receiving the bolt II. The nuts 20 and 2| are then tightened and the device is again ready for use.

It is believed that the many advantages of a carton opener constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton opener of the character described.

comprising a substantially tubular handle having an opening therein, a plate on said handle,

a cutting blade mounted on said plate, and a guide rotatably mounted on the plate and engageable in the handle when not in use.

2. A carton opener of the character described comprising a substantially tubular, angular handle having an opening therein, a plate integral with said handle, a blade mounted on said plate, a gauge mounted on the plate, and a guide rotatably and slidably mounted on the plate and engageable in the handle when not in use.

3. A carton opener comprising a substantially tubular handle having an opening therein, a plate on said handle, a blade adjustably mounted on the plate, a gauge for said blade adjustably mounted on the plate, a guide rotatably mounted on the plate and engageable in the handle when not in use, and common means for securing the blade, the gauge and the guide in position on the plate.

HARRY HANSON. 

